Guide to Antigua: Is this the Caribbean island for you?

If you're planning a holiday to the Caribbean and considering a visit to picture-perfect Antigua, aka the 'land of 365 beaches', our guide to Antigua will help you decide whether it's the right island for you. There are so many ways to stay in Antigua but you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere as all encompassing, with quality service and style to match, than Sandals Grande Antigua. Check out the latest deals on breaks with Sandals to see if you could enjoy a little luxury for less than you might expect on your holiday to Antigua.

If it's beach, beach and more beach you're after, then Antigua's Robinson Crusoe-worthy shores, which are both legendary and luscious, will fully live up to every white-sand-and-clear-water cliche you could dream of. There are however, plenty of other attractions in Antigua. Step back in time to the age of Nelson, rent a car to explore the palm-fringed coast, or take to the ocean where you can strap on your snorkel, go sailing or even meet a stingray.

The island consistently rates highly for honeymooners and couples getaways but with plenty of fun outdoor activities it is an equally great spot for a memorable group holiday or family get together.

Contemplate colonial history: Nelson's Dockyard

One of Antigua's most picturesque and perennial draws is Nelson's Dockyard. As the only British Caribbean island to be blessed with a good harbour, Antigua historically served as the dockyard for all shipping in the entire British West Indies, and Nelson himself was based here in the 1780s.

The site is now the only surviving Georgian naval dockyard in the world and has just been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status as a nod to its importance. The marina makes a pretty place to explore even if you're not a history buff. Any guide to Antigua should make mention of the importance of the era of slavery at this naval base, and there is a cultural heritage site and museum at the docks where you can learn more.

Spend time at a sugar mill

The large scale sugar cultivation, which the British brought to the Caribbean, led to 150 sugar cane mills dotting the verdant Antiguan landscape - almost 100 of these iconic stone towers still remain, many converted into atmospheric shops or quirky restaurants.

A visit to one is a must while on holiday in Antigua - try the old mill at Harmony Hall, which is now an upscale Italian restaurant, or visit Betty's Hope, the original sugar estate set up in the 1600s, which is now a museum where visitors can see a fully-restored sugar mill in action.

Sample the island's special fishing scene

You can fish all year round in Antigua, whether inshore or offshore, as conditions can be breezier than in other locations thanks to those all important trade winds. Fishing here attracts some real aficionados - or should that be afishionados. The effort certainly pays off if you want to try something a little different like fishing for tarpon, permit, snook, and bonefish and want to get a photo with a trophy fish up to five feet in length.

Small local operators can help you discover the relaxed side of fishing with charters or introduce you to float tube fishing in mangrove lagoons and secluded bays where the fish like to hide out - as do discerning tourists. There are also numerous deep sea charter operators based in and around Jolly Harbour in the west or Falmouth and English Harbour in the southeast.

Celebrate Antigua's carnival

Carnival is huge in Antigua and 2017 will see it celebrate its 60th year, so visiting during carnival dates in July is guaranteed to make your holiday to Antigua incredibly memorable. This colourful 10-day festival packs in calypso music, food fairs, parades, talent shows, and of course plenty of dancing. There's even a beauty pageant with Miss Antigua being announced during the festivities every year.

If you're not around to experience the biggest party of the year, you'll be glad to know there is a weekly alternative: while Antigua isn't a revellers' paradise the Sunday night bash at Shirley Heights offers the most celebrated opportunity to let your hair down on the island.

Guide to Antigua: the edible side of the island

Antigua is a very laid back island where you're more likely to frequent a beach bar and sample the local Wadadli beer with your feet planted in the sand than sip on champagne in formal surroundings. However, there are some choice upmarket options for a special evening like Sheer Rocks, which is in an unparalleled cliffside location to see the sunset at Ffryes Bay while dining on well prepared local cuisine.

Other not-to-be missed local nibbles and tipples to feature in our guide to Antigua include Cavalier Rum, which you'll find just about everywhere, and the abundant local seafood, which features in Antigua's signature dish, the Pepperpot; a hearty stew with vegetables. If you want to explore the most varied aspects of the restaurant scene in Antigua head to St. John's, the island's capital where there are lots of international options, or try the other well stocked area at English Harbour.

Guide to Antigua - and Barbuda

If you're already on holiday in Antigua then it's the perfect time to pop over to Barbuda, as the pint-sized island is only accessible by flight and ferry from its big sister, and can't be reached direct from any international destinations. Barbuda is even smaller than Antigua (just over half the size at 160 km square) and has the enticing airport code of BBQ - a great reflection of the mega laid back nature of the scene on offer here.

The main airline serving the two islands (as well as Montserrat) is Montserrat Airways but you can also take a 90 minute ferry with Barbuda Express or splash out on a Caribbean helicopter charter if you're feeling flush. The choppers also serve as a stylish way to reach the neighbouring islands of Nevis, St. Kitts and Anguilla.

Guide to Antigua: what you need to know

If you're planning a holiday to Antigua, you'll need to know some of the basics, which include:

Flight time from the UK - the flight time from London is around eight and a half hours.

Entry, exit & visas - Brits, EU Nationals and most Commonwealth citizens don't need a visa to enter Antigua and departure tax is included in the airfare so you won't be faced with any extra costs on your holiday to Antigua.

Currency - like much of the Caribbean the US Dollar is the unofficial currency and widely accepted; you'll find very few places where a dollar bill will be denied. However, the official currency of the island is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar - EC$ - and you can withdraw this from cash machines on the island.

In an emergency - being a British colony you can dial 999 here for Fire, Police or Ambulance as well as 911 in case of an issue.

Voltage - most of the island runs on 110v like the US and Canada, but some hotels also have European-style 220v power - this is something you'll need to investigate and plan for before your trip to Antigua by bringing an adaptor and possibly a power converter with you.

Sun care - even if you're familiar with tropical destinations you'll need to be especially careful of the strong sun in Antigua. With the cooling trade winds year round it is easy for even a seasoned holidaymaker to underestimate the effects, so it's important to use a strong SPF, stay hydrated and seek shade during the hottest times of the day - read more about staying safe in the sun.

Guide to Antigua: when to go

The weather in Antigua is consistently good, with warm-to-hot temperatures and low rainfall year round, and is especially popular for those seeking some winter sunshine. As with many Caribbean and tropical destinations the weather forecast can scare you off with threats of cloud and thunderstorms, but in reality this tends to mean short-lived rain showers or passing clouds. There is the slim chance a hurricane may affect the weather in Antigua in some way during the peak season, especially in September, though these months tend to offer lower rates and far fewer tourists too.